At last, almost two decades after it was initially released in 1984, Metal Blade has issued the iconic Warlord home video AND THE CANNONS OF DESTRUCTION HAVE BEGUN...

I’m not quite sure why this has been re-titled to the much lamer title of BOOK 1. In terms of packaging and presentation, there is not much; no booklet and no bonus features. The picture has certainly not been digitally remastered I can assure you! The picture quality by today’s standards by HD, 3-D, Imax etc…is pretty weak, however it is the source material, not a production flaw. It is certainly watchable! They do include a bonus audio CD which is just the debut EP, DELIVER US which every self-respecting Metal fan already owns anyway.

The video is the band doing a live-in-studio concert (or video soundtrack as it was called) on a stage. There is a full stage-show with special effects but no audience. It is essentially a long form promo, a rare and unique idea that used to be a bit more popular in the 70’s (before MTV) but has long since fallen out of favour for single promo videos or actual concerts. There are a few little short interview clips in between songs as well.

AND THE CANNONS OF DESTRUCTION HAVE BEGUN…. was I believe the very first Metal Blade video release on VHS and it set Warlord well ahead of the pack. It is nice to final have it on DVD. In Metal lore this was and is an iconic piece of US Power Metal history.